Bath tub lift



Feb. 26, 1963 BYWILLIAM A. DANIELS OM M Do n ATTORNEYS W. A. DANIELS BATH TUB LIFT Feb. 26, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 28, 1960 FIG 3 INVENTOR. FIG 2 WILLIAM A. DANIELS MN MW ATTORNEYS Feb. 26, 1963 w. A. DANIELS BATH TUB LIFT Filed Nov. 28, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 kdsa rLINDER PRESS.

FIG? 54 a INVENTOR.

WILLIAM A. DANIELS BY OM11, mlllug Dmmuh ATTORNEYS W- A. DANIELS BATH TUB LIFT Feb. 26, 1963 4' Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 28, 1960 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM A. DANIELS ATTORNEYS ire Sates Patent 3,078,473 BATH TUB LIFT William A. Daniels, 1910 E. Pleasant Valley Road, Cleveland 31, Ohio Filed Nov. 28, 1960, Ser. No. 72,058 4 Claims. (Cl. 4-185) This invention relates generally as indicated to a bath tub lift and more particularly to a power operated seat enabling an invalid or incapacitated person more readily to enter and leave a bath tub.

Many people have difiiculty in entering or leaving a bath tub because of an incapacity or infirmity. Many patients in hospitals are so incapacitated that they cannot bathe themselves and accordingly must be bathed with the aid of an attendant or nurse who is then required to place such patient within the tub and then lift the patient out of the tub when the bath is complete. Accordingly, a device by which an incapacitated person can readily be placed within a tub and easily removed therefrom is highly to be desired.

Heretofore, highly complex mechanism-s have been designed for such purposes primarily for hospital use. These mechanisms then were designed for installation at one fixed location and could not be readily moved to take care of incapacitated people in their own homes. Primarily, such mechanisms were designed to be operated by an attendant with such attendant supervising the bathing of the patient.

It is accordingly a principal object of the present invention to provide a simplified, light-weight, easily movable bath tub lift whereby a person may easily assist him or herself into and out of a bath tub.

It is a further principal object to provide, a simplified, easily manufactured bath tub lift which can be operated through any convenient source of normal house water pressure.

It is a further principal object to provide a bath tub lift which can easily be installed in any type bath tub for use therewith.

It is yet another object to provide a bath tub lift which is also provided with a flexible resilient backing 21.

ing a body support wherein an invalid using such lift can be strapped thereto.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following decription proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail a certain illustrative embodiment of the invention, this being indicative, however, of but one of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a bath tub lift in accordance with the present invention showing the seat portion thereof within such tub;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of such lift partially in section;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of such lift;

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FIG. 4 is a vertical section of such lift taken substantially on the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are fragmentary horizontal sectional views of such lift taken substantially on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4 illustrating the pivotal movement obtained by such lift;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the operating valve of such lift;

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of a compression rod adapted to secure such lift in the proper vertical position; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative form of lift in accordance with the present invention showing a modified form of seat and seat supporting frame.

Referring now to the annexed drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a bath tub lift in accordance with the present invention with the seat portion thereof positioned within a tub T. The lift is supported 0n the back or peripheral portion 2 of such tub against the wall 3. The tub T is of a conventional variety placed within the corner between walls 3 and 4. The peripheral portion of the tub provides an upstanding portion 5 over which a person must climb in order to get into the recessed portion 6 of the tub.

The lift mechanism 10 as seen in FIGS. 1 through 4 includes a vertically extending right circular cylindrical tubular guide member 11 which is closed at the bottom as shown at 12 in FIG. 4 and open at the top as shown at 13. Such tubular guide member is supported on the back or peripheral portion of the tub 2 by means of a transversely extending support 14 of the angle shape shown which has welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto a collar 15 in which the bottom of the cylindrical guide is releasably secured by set screw 16 or the like. The closed bottom 12 of the cylindrical guide 11 will rest upon the horizontal portion of the support member 14 to provide a firm seat for the bottom of the guide. The bottom of the transversely extending support member 14 may be provided with a coating or layer of resilient material 17 to protect the back or peripheral portion 2 of the tub as well as the wall 3 from being marred or scratched by such support.

The top of the cylindrical guide 11 is similarly releasably secured in a collar 18 by a set screw 19. Like the collar 15, the collar 18 is welded or otherwise rigidly secured to transversely extending support plate 20 which It is noted that the support member 14 extends entirely transversely of the bath tub to provide a substantial transverse or lateral support for the upstanding guide 11 and that the support member 20 extends into the corner 22 between walls 3 and 4. An adjustable compression rod 23 is provided bearing against the support plate 20 to hold the same firmly against the wall 3. Since in most conventional wood frame home constructions, there is a 2 x 4 positioned in the corner as at 22, the length of the plate 20 will guarantee that the support spans at least two such 2 x 4s and preferably the compression rod 23 will be located at a 2 x 4, the position of which can be determined by measuring from the corner.

Such compression rod 23 extends between a socket 24 on plate 20 and a similar plate on the opposite wall at the other end of the bath tub (not shown). Any conventional mechanism may be employed to expand the length of the rod to exert a force against plate 20 to hold the same firmly against the wall 3. However, as a simplified device I prefer to employ two hollow tubular members 25 and 26 with a threaded rod 27 of slightly smaller diameter extending therewithin. Adjusting nuts 28 and 29 threaded on such rod bear against the ends of the tubular members 25 and 26 to force the same apart and it can readily be seen that simple adjustment of the nuts is all a sence 3 that is required to extend the length of compi ber 23. Rererence may be had to PEG. 8 for a more detailed disclosure of tiis compression rod. it will now be seen that the cylindrical guide 11 is firmly vertically supported on the peripheral or back portion of the tub.

Surrounding the guide means 11 is an elongated right circular cylindrical collar or sleeve 31 adapted vertically to slide up and down along the outside of the guide ll. Such collar 31 is supported for vertical movement along the guide 11 by means of piston 32 and piston rod 33 with such rod 33 having a transverse member on the top thereof extending through a pair of slots 35 and 36 in the upper portion only of such guide 11. The transverse member 34 is bolted or otherwise fastened to the collar as shown at 37. The piston 32 includes a suitable packing 33 and a stop 39 to maintain such piston above iluid inlet port 4%. The top portions of slots and 36 terminate in oppositely extending horizontal portions 41 and 42, respectively. Accordingly, the piston 32, the rod 33, the transverse member 34, and the collar 31 all move as a unit vertically of the cylindrical guide 11. The horizontally extending top terminal portions of the slots 35 and as permit the collar 3-1 to be rotated or pivoted about the vertical axis of the guide only when the transverse member 34 is horizontally aligned therewith.

Fluid is admitted through port it) by means of fluid pressure line 56} to raise the piston 32. within cylindrical guide 11. Such fluid pressure may be supplied from the ordinary house water lines, such water pressure being sufiicient to raise the bath tub lift illustrated even when carrying an extremely heavy person. As seen perhaps more clearly in FIG. 7, the supply line 51 may be connected to such house water pressure and valve 52 may then be employed with handle 53. The plug 54 of such valve is shown more clearly in FIG. 7 which may then open the pressure line 51 to the supply line St} to supply water under pressure through the port 44) to raise the piston 32. By further turning the plug 54 in a counterclockwise direction, all three ports of the valve may be closed and the collar and transverse member 34 will be supported by the column of water in guide 11 in any desired position. Further turning the plug 54 in a counterclockwise will connect the supply line 50 with the drain line 55 which may be provided with a retricted portion 56 whereby the fluid will drain from the supply line and thus the portion of cylindrical guide 11 below the piston 32 at a controlled rate causing the collar 31 slowly to descend. The tubing for lines 51 and 55' may be small diameter copper tubing readily assembled and disassembled and instead of the reduced or constricted portion 56, the diameter of the tube may be such as to preclude the fluid from escapin through port so at a faster than desired rate of speed. The valve 52 will be positioned conveniently to the reach of a person employing the bath tub lift.

A seat 6% which is illustrated as a conventional toilet seat, for example, may be connected to the collar 31 for vertical movement therewith through a support frame generally shown at 62. Studs 63 and 64 are secured as by welding to each side of the elongated collar Ell. These studs are then utilized to support a pair of tubular sup port members 65 and 66, such members being apertured and secured to the sides of the elongated collar Bit by nuts or the like. Such support members 65 and 55 curve outwardly and downwardly generally to correspond to the back sloping portion 67 of the tub T with the bottom portions of such support members curving to the horizontal position shown at as underlying the seat Also as shown in FIG. 3 the distal ends of the members 65 and 66 may be bent to flare outwardly to provide a firmer support for the bottom of seat 64) as shown at 69 and 7b re spectively. A pivot 71 may be provided extending through the tubular members 65 and 66 as well as the neck portion 72 of the seat. Further to rigidity the support of the seat depending from the collar 31, there is provided two tension rods 73 and 74 connected between the pivot 71 t and the top studs 63. Thus an extremely light-weight frame depends from the collar 3]; firmly supporting the seat so laterally spaced from guide 11 and in the horizontal position shown. With the pivot 71, such seat may be pivoted upwardly out of the way when not in use.

Referring now to the alternative seat and frame form shown in FIG. 9, the collar 31 is identical in form to the collar provided in the *lG. l embodiment and the attachment 37 for the transverse member 34 is employed as a means to secure the proximal ends of elongated vertically extending frame members hi) and 83; to such collar. The frame members are bent downwardly as shown at 32 and 83 to extend generally parallel to the collar 3i and cylinder l1. Studs 64- are employed to secure rigidifying members 34 and 85 to the bottom of the collar 31 and such rigidifying links are secured to the frame members 8% and by means of a threaded stud 86 passing therethrough. Nuts 87 on such stud, together with a spacing collar 82; surrounding such stud, are used to secure the frame members 8d, 81 and the respective links 84, 85 with the ollar 88 rigidly spacing such frame members apart. The distal ends of the frame members 82 and $3 are bent from the vertical to the horizontal position as shown at 89 and 93 and a U-shape member 91 is rigidly secured to the bottom of the horizontally extending portions 52 and $3 of such frame members further to rigidity the frame. Such U- shape member 91 may be secured to the horizontal portions by welding or by bolts, .for example. A canvas or other durable cloth sling 94 has its edges sewn back upon itself as shown at 95 and 96 to form edge sleeves which can readily be slipped over the horizontally projecting arms provided by the U-shape member 91 and horizontally extending portions 92 and 93 of the frame members 3 and 81.

With this type seat and frame, an invalid or the like can readily be strapped to the frame members 80 and 31 to preclude such invalid from falling from the seat. Once the invalid is strapped in place, the attendant can then manipulate the control handle 53 to raise or lower the seat as required. The cylinder 11, collar 31 and the supports therefor will be identical in form to the respective components of the FIG. 1 embodiment.

it can now be seen that there is provided an extremely simple and light-weight bath tub lift which can readily be dismounted or disassembled for transportation to the point of requirement.

Operation In operation, the valve 52 will be positioned to con nect the pressure line 51 with the supply line 5% to force fluid into the bottom of cylindrical guide 11 to raise the piston 32 and thus the collar 31 and seat 60. While the seat is being raised, the transverse member 34 will be retained in the opposed slots 35 and 36 to keep the collar and thus the frame and seat from rotating about the vertical axis of the guide. As soon as the transverse member 34 reaches the horizontally extending top portions 41 and 42 of the slots 35 and 36 respectively, the entire seat supporting structure, which includes the frame 62, the collar 31, the transverse member 34, the piston rod 33 and the piston 32, can then be pivoted about the vertical axis of the guide 11. This pivoting movement can very easily be accomplished since the entire structure will be supported upon the column of water within the guide Ill. This pivotal movement is limited only by the circumferential extent of the horizontal portions 41 and 42 of the slots. This may more clearly be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. At this time, the seat 60 and the supports 65 and 66 will be vertically clear of the wall portion 5 of the tub T whereby the seat may be swung outwardly adjacent a wheel chair or the like. The invalid then climbs on the seat 60 and can readily pivot him or herself into the proper position to be lowered into the tub. It is noted that only if the position is obtained wherein the transverse member 34 is aligned with the slots 35 and 36, will the user then be able properly to s lower the apparatus to place him or herself into the tub. Once the valve 52 connects the supply line with the drain line 55, the fluid will then escape through port 40 at a controlled rate uniformly to cause the seat 65) to descend into the tub. The seat can be held at any position desired simply by moving the handle 53 back to the hold position to prevent escape of iluid through supply line 5%. When the bath is complete, the pressure line 51 is again connected to the supply line St? to cause the seat to rise out of the tub until the transverse member 34 contacts the top of the slots preventing further upward movement. At this position the horizontally extending portions of the slots will be aligned with the transverse member 34 whereby the seat can be swung outwardly about the axis of the guide 11 again to place the seat adjacent the wheel chair or the like. In any event the swinging movement of the seat enables an incapacitated person more easily to surmount the Wall 5 of the tub T.

It can now be seen that there has been provided an easily manufactured, inexpensive and highly mobile bath tub lift which can be operated solely from the house water supply with no electrical connections endangering a person within the tub.

Other modes of applying the principles of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of such be employed.

I, therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A bath tub lift comprising a right circular cylindrical tubular guide, said guide being open at the top, closed at the bottom, and provided with a vertically extending pair of diametrically opposed slots having top laterally directed portions, a piston and rod disposed concentrically within said guide for vertical movement therein, said piston being disposed in said tubular guide for movement only below said pair of slots, a transverse member secured to said rod and extending through said pair of slots Whereby said transverse member can be raised by said piston and rod and turned about the vertical axis of said tubular guide, releasable support means for said tubular guide at the bottom thereof whereby said guide can be vertically supported on the peripheral edge of a bath tub, support means for the top of said guide to hold the same in vertically extending position, and seat means secured to said transverse member for vertical movement with said piston and rod from a position within such tub to a position vertically clear of the peripheral edge thereof whereat said seat means and said transverse member can be swung about the vertical axis of said tubular guide with said transverse member within the top laterally directed portions of said pair of slots.

2. A bath tub lift comprising fixed vertically disposed cylindrical guide means, cylindrical support means vertically slidably mounted on said guide means and always substantially completely longitudinally internally supported thereby, a seat connected to said support means for vertical movement therewith, lift means mounted concentrically in said guide means connected to said support means and operative to raise and lower said support means and thus said seat, said guide means including a pair of opposed slots in the upper portion thereof only, said slots upwardly terminating in oppositely directed horizontal portions, said lift means being connected to said support means through said pair of slots with said pair of slots maintaining said support means and thus said seat in the desired position during vertical movement thereof, said lift means including a piston slidably fitted Within said cylindrical guide means below said pair of slots, a vertically extending piston rod, and a transverse member supported thereon extending through said pair of slots and fastened to said support means.

3. A bath tub lift as set forth in claim 2 including means to maintain said guide means on top of said tub in a vertically extending position including transversely extending support plates at the top and bottom of said guide means, means releasably connecting said support plates to said guide means, and compression means bearing against said support plate at the top of said guide means to maintain the same in vertical position.

4. A bath tub lift comprising vertically extending tubular guide means, tubular collar means mounted on said tubular guide means for vertical reciprocation therealong always substantially completely internally supported by said tubular guide means, means operative to reciprocate said collar eans, a downwardly extending frame secured to said collar means, means mounting a seat at the distal end of said frame whereby said seat will be raised and lowered from a position adjacent the bottom to a position clear of the top of such tub, said frame including a pair of support members connected to said collar and providing a horizontal pivot for said seat, said support members extending beneath said seat to provide a pivot stop for said seat to support the same in horizontal position, said support members extending vertically spaced from said collar to provide a back support for a person using said lift, and means to pivot said seat about the vertical axis of said guide means only when said seat is clear of the top of such tub.

References Elited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,469,500 Dry May 10, 1949 2,582,586 Dori- Ian. 15, 1952 2,664,142 Scheuerrnan et a1. Dec. 29, 1953 2,725,093 Saelen Nov. 29, 1955 2,779,949 Crispen Feb. 5, 1957 

1. A BATH TUB LIFT COMPRISING A RIGHT CIRCULAR CYLINDRICAL TUBULAR GUIDE, SAID GUIDE BEING OPEN AT THE TOP, CLOSED AT THE BOTTOM, AND PROVIDED WITH A VERTICALLY EXTENDING PAIR OF DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED SLOTS HAVING TOP LATERALLY DIRECTED PORTIONS, A PISTON AND ROD DISPOSED CONCENTRICALLY WITHIN SAID GUIDE FOR VERTICAL MOVEMENT THEREIN, SAID PISTON BEING DISPOSED IN SAID TUBULAR GUIDE FOR MOVEMENT ONLY BELOW SAID PAIR OF SLOTS, A TRANSVERSE MEMBER SECURED TO SAID ROD AND EXTENDING THROUGH SAID PAIR OF SLOTS WHEREBY SAID TRANSVERSE MEMBER CAN BE RAISED BY SAID PISTON AND ROD AND TURNED ABOUT THE VERTICAL AXIS OF SAID TUBULAR GUIDE, RELEASABLE SUPPORT MEANS FOR SAID TUBULAR GUIDE AT THE BOTTOM THEREOF WHEREBY SAID GUIDE CAN BE VERTICALLY SUPPORTED ON THE PERIPHERAL EDGE OF A BATH TUB, SUPPORT MEANS FOR THE TOP OF SAID GUIDE TO HOLD THE SAME IN VERTICALLY EXTENDING POSITION, AND SEAT MEANS SECURED TO SAID TRANSVERSE MEMBER FOR VERTICAL MOVEMENT WITH SAID PISTON AND ROD FROM A POSITION WITHIN SUCH TUB TO A POSITION VERTICALLY CLEAR OF THE PERIPHERAL EDGE THEREOF WHEREAT SAID SEAT MEANS AND SAID TRANSVERSE MEMBER CAN BE SWUNG ABOUT THE VERTICAL AXIS OF SAID TUBULAR GUIDE WITH SAID TRANSVERSE MEMBER WITHIN THE TOP LATERALLY DIRECTED PORTIONS OF SAID PAIR OF SLOTS. 